Even after 160 years and the loss of over 600,000 lives at that time (America’s Civil War), the issue of a divided America has not been resolved.

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Over the past 160 years, the nation has struggled to find a solution to the polorization of Americans based on a perceived racial identity.

 

Today the polorization of American citizens is designated by ‘skin color’. Race is either ‘Black’ or ‘White’.  A ‘Brown’ skin color has been added more recently as an extension and inclusion to the so called ‘Black Race’.

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Individuals today are stereotyped by color as ‘all being the same racially, and many are even self-identified as being included in the ‘Black’, 'White', or ‘Brown’ Race.

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This is particularly absurd when we understand that skin color is determined “by the distribution and concentration of melanin in the skin”, which determines the many variations of skin tone among individuals.

 

There are few, if any, people with skin colors that are totally ‘Black’ or totally ‘White”. We all have different degrees of ‘skin colors or tones that extend over a range of shades from dark to light based mostly on the degree of sun exposure and our geographic ancestorial origination.

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Therefore, dividing and categorizing people Racially by Skin Color makes no sense. In fact, “Race” is a proven fallacy not supported by genetic science. We are all members of the exact same species, Homo sapiens. We are all Human beings and brothers and sisters with a lineage reaching back over 300,000 years as our ancestors spread out over the earth. (Read more in the Article “Is Race Real” available on this website).

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More accurately, some consider the division to be Cultural.  While Culture definitely played a part initially many years ago, today Americans are far more similar culturally than different.

 

Some individuals today, who identify as ‘Black’ choose to ‘cling’ to an ancestral culture based on grievances for past ‘oppression’ and ‘segregation’ which they feel gives them a disadvantage and deserves special consideration today. (A remedy for this attitude can be considered by reading the article, “Time To Put The Race Card Away” available on this website).

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(To further understand the impact of Cultural Differences from the past that affected the early people coming to America, read the article “It Was Not About Race, It Was About Culture” available on this website).

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Obviously, we Americans need to take a different approach toward healing the divide. We have come a long way since the Civil War and much has been accomplished, however, today we have over 300 million citizens in America. Of that number, generally over 50 million identify themselves voluntarily as 'Black' Americans, while over 200 million, generally, identify themselves as 'White' Americans. 

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Likely, one aspect of this ‘Race Color’ identity is encouraged and supported by the need to declare a Racial Identity on many forms we are required to complete. In addition, media, education, and government in general support the use of Racial Identity as factual.

 

The book,“The Black and White of Racism” points out that “…on Sunday, America’s churches are the most segregated institutions today in America” …and this segregation is by individual choice, not requirement.

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The point being, Racial Identity today for individual Americans is by choice, not factually nor by decree.

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So how do we overcome this failed effort to end this false Racial Identity resulting in Social Division in America today?

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Simple…we individually just stop being a racial color. We discourage the concept and the use of different races to categorize us, or any, American citizen.

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As my native-American father advised me as a child long ago to “never ride your horse looking backwards". He said, "If you do so, you will surely get lost".  He further suggested, "Turn around, look forward, take the reins, and guide the horse in the direction you want to go." That advice has served me well over the years.

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Some of my "native American" relatives chose to dwell on the past and internalize resentment and animosity. On the other hand, my father set me free to pursue the “American Dream”.  Certainly, I had limitations, and certainly many of my fellow citizens have achieved more and experienced far more success and wealth than I have. However, I doubt that any American experiences more appreciation and contentment for what I have achieved than I do. I recall once reading that “a poor person that appreciates what they have, is wealthier than a rich person that always craves more”.

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​Therefore, to overcome the failed efforts of the past, we should abandon racial identity altogether and unite as individuals in a blended society as one people, without regard for polarizing distinctions, and become simply American Citizens in appreciation and harmony for our common well-being.

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​This will require that some people, who identify as 'Black' or ‘White’, to make a major change in attitude. Those that do will likely find a vast number of citizens ready to meet them on mutual and harmonious ground as full-fledged American Citizens looking toward the future together.

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Try this mental exercise from now on:

First observe your mental reaction when
you look upon an individual
you have considered, in the past,
to be of a different race.

Cleanse your mind with the thought,
"There is my fellow human being,

and my fellow citizen
with feelings just like mine".
 

Then greet them with a smile
and a caring heart.
You will likely be amazed
and comforted by the response.

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​It will take all we Americans working together, using our best individual skills, to keep our nation competitive, prosperous and safe in the challenging world we face today and in the future.

 

It is an individual choice. Make yours now and proceed accordingly from this moment forward.